Why I write

31 Oct, 2026

Writing is how I express myself. It allows me to explore new ideas, meet different perspectives, and figure out what I actually think.

Constraint is freedom: it supports creativity. Every playground needs its rules, just as every writer needs a toolbox.

This blog post serves as a reminder of what writing means to me: what I use it for, how I approach it, and why I write. It's a living, breathing page that will evolve alongside my needs and tastes.

Have fun

Write about the things that genuinely interest you. Look for the spark. Let curiosity guide the prose and follow intuition at every turn. Where will it take you next?

Choose a playful, curious mindset whenever you sit down to write.

Be gorgeous

The sound of language is a joy. Listen to the music of the words you write. Read them out loud and read them out loud again.

Try to balance your sentences and cadence. On one hand, lean on simple, everyday words that convey meaning without friction. On the other, choose words that ignite your imagination and strong verbs that move the prose forward.

Be daring

Write about topics that truly matter. Stand for something: stand up, for example, for people's right to be who they are and their freedom to express themselves. Revisit your core values and let them shine through your writing.

(See Things I believe for a primer on those values.)

Write for yourself

Writing is memory. By putting thoughts into words, you preserve them so you can return later. You can spot how your thinking and your craft evolves over time, leaving breadcrumbs for your future self to revisit and build on.

Write primarily for yourself. Be selfish and useful.

Write for one person

Sometimes it helps to change perspective. When you do, write for a friend. Picture the two of you sitting in a café, sharing a favourite hot drink, and discussing ideas that matter to you both. That's the tone to aim for.

Don't write for search engines, language models, "customer avatars", or "marketing personas". Those habits are remnants of a past marketing career. Be daring and let them go.

See also how I use AI on this site.

Write in plain English

Choose short, familiar words over unnecessary jargon.

Write as if you're explaining something to a ten-year-old. That's the real test. You might worry about "dumbing things down", but try it out and see what happens. You'll be surprised.

Writing plainly is daring. You can't hide behind big words or abstract concepts. You do the reader (and yourself!) a huge favour by writing in clear, plain English.

When sitting down to write, remember to:

• have fun
• be gorgeous and daring
• write for one person (even if that one person is you)
• write in plain English.

Above all, respect the reader and yourself. Everything else falls into place if you do that.

Note to future self: see the editorial style guide for tips on spelling, punctuation and consistency.

Always remember to have fun with your writing. (I see you, Mr. Perfectionism, creeping in.) Bear¹ in mind, you publish online to share your thoughts and to help others and yourself.